New Arrivals

Stuart McCloskey "Muddy Water Pinot Noirs truly reflect their philosophy, more so than any other New Zealand Pinot Noir (with the exception of Devotus) I have encountered. Burgundian to the very core but by no means trying to copy.  Evolution has been kind to all three. Perfectly judged, uniquely captivating, full of detail, effortless, precise and everything a Grand Cru should be.  Unquestionably, three Pinot Noirs which stop you in your tracks. Simply stunning by any measure and not one wine dipped below 97+ / 98 points. All served using Zalto Burgundy glassware. Decant for 30 minutes."

The Hare’s Breath block is Muddy Water’s hillside plot that consists of seven different Burgundy clones, one of which was allegedly smuggled out of the Domaine Romanee Contee vineyard in the 1970’s tucked into a rugby players boot. Each clone adds its own distinct element to craft wines of great complexity, structure and intensity...

The original block that Muddy Waters planted, the Slow Hands name derives from their founding philosophy of meticulous but gentle care be awarded to the vineyard, the vines must be tended by ‘slow hands’. The wine is only made in the best years when the conditions are dry, warm and sunny enough to aid the slow ripening from this block. This slow ripening is one of the defining features that gives the Slow Hands wine its distinct structure and texture, only the finest grapes are selected and the wine is made in very small batches. The wines are described as being an iron fist in a velvet glove, balancing intense power, with a fine, velvety texture delivering sensual blackcurrant, blueberry, plum, bramble and violet, seamlessly combined with gentle, French oak.

The original block that Muddy Waters planted, the Slow Hands name derives from their founding philosophy of meticulous but gentle care be awarded to the vineyard, the vines must be tended by ‘slow hands’. The wine is only made in the best years when the conditions are dry, warm and sunny enough to aid the slow ripening from this block. This slow ripening is one of the defining features that gives the Slow Hands wine it’s distinct structure and texture, only the finest grapes are selected and the wine is made in very small batches. The wines are described as being an iron fist in a velvet glove, balancing intense power, with a fine, velvety texture delivering sensual blackcurrant, blueberry, plum, bramble and violet, seamlessly combined with gentle, French oak. 

Winemaker "We hand pick the fruit from Matthews Lane vineyard ensuring each parcel of fruit is in pristine condition. After a yeast starter the juice rests on yeast lees for 11 months in new 1,000L German Oak Fuder Barrels. The use of Fuder barrels in this way ensures our Single Vineyard white wines develop a greater complexity and refinement because oak doesn’t dominate. The ratio of wine in contact with the barrel surface is less than smaller barrels so oak pick up is less. The staves of Fuder barrels are thicker which means the temperature of ferment tends to be warmer and we find the fruit characters gain greater depth and complexity."

Lisa Perrotti-Brown "Dark garnet with a lucid rim, the wine exhibits aromas of briar fruit, ripe blackberry and dark plum with a tinge of minerality and charred meat. Brawny on the entry, it has an equally big mid-palate with complex flavors of ripe brambly fruit, a touch of earth and notes of espresso bean. Still massive through to the finish with soft drying tannins, the unique varietal characteristics of the blend clearly reveal themselves over time."

Lisa Perrotti-Brown "Dark garnet with a lucid rim, the wine exhibits aromas of briar fruit, ripe blackberry and dark plum with a tinge of minerality and charred meat. Brawny on the entry, it has an equally big mid-palate with complex flavors of ripe brambly fruit, a touch of earth and notes of espresso bean. Still massive through to the finish with soft drying tannins, the unique varietal characteristics of the blend clearly reveal themselves over time."

Full Tasting Note from Stu Coming Soon...

The wine is introduced with rich primary aromatics of cassis, blueberry and black cherry, complemented with hints of lavender, chaparral and sandalwood. The entry is brawny with ripe blackberry and boysenberry that transitions to a nuanced mid-palate of dark toffee and espresso bean. Integrated tannins that will soften over time lead a finish of soft rhubarb and licorice.

99 Points - Jay Miller (RobertParker.com) "The 2004 vintage was outstanding in Barossa, McLaren Vale, and Magill, the regions where the grapes were sourced for the marvelous 2004 Grange. It contains 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and was aged for 16 months in 100% new American oak hogsheads. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it displays a superb nose of wood smoke, Asian spices, incense, game, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. Medium to full-bodied, satin textured, with deeply layered, succulent blackberry, plum, and chocolate flavors, it has the structure and complexity to merit extended cellaring of a decade and more. The winery estimates a drinking curve of 2016 to 2050; I'd be a bit more conservative on the long end of the range. It will ultimately be seen as one of the great vintages of Grange."

98 Points - James Halliday "Saturated purple-crimson colour; has an amazing depth to the bouquet, oak and black fruits already seamlessly woven; the longer you spend inhaling the aromas, the more you learn about the wine within, in much the same way as a Grand Cru red burgundy. The palate delivers all that the bouquet promises, and then some; it has absolutely perfect proportions to the river of flavours running through blackberry, Satsuma plum, licorice and spice; the tannins are quite active, but totally balanced and ripe."

Dave’s Block is a very special old vineyard perched on an elevated site in Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale. The soil is classic white sand over clay, the cooler elevation allows the grapes to slowly mature.This very special vineyard was created from cuttings off the Kay Brother’s Block Six, a well known vineyard with 110 year old vines. Previously used as the McLaren Vale component for Ares, Dave’s Block became part of the Single Vineyard Series in 2014 when Ares reverts to showcasing the Barossa Valley.